Category: Uncategorized

 

By Tiffany Boggs, Student Media. Edited by Chelsea Xu, UL Marketing and Communications.

Homecoming 2026 at George Mason University unfolded as a weeklong celebration. Events included trivia nights, pep rallies, a lip-sync battle, a day of service, a city crawl in downtown Fairfax, and a weekend festival culminating in basketball at EagleBank Arena.

On February 5, laughter filled the campus. As this year’s Homecoming Headliner, The Daily Show correspondent Josh Johnson performed to a packed Center for the Arts, delivering a set defined by control, clarity, and deliberate timing.

The evening opened with one of George Mason’s own, Rahmein Mostafavi, BA Theater ’99, returning as the opener, bridging past and present before Johnson took the stage. The pairing felt deliberate: an alumnus shaped here, followed by a nationally recognized voice.

Johnson’s style resists spectacle. Seated on a stool, leaning slightly forward, he builds long-form narratives rather than chasing quick punchlines. Stories stretch, pivot, and land cleanly. He threaded humor through commentary on national headlines without overplaying the moment. When he shifted toward civic engagement, applause cut through the laughter. The transition felt measured, not theatrical. Johnson trusted the room to follow along.

That balance resonated across generations. Junior Heather Schneider described the impact succinctly: “I was laughing so hard I gave myself a headache. My face hurts.”

Bridget Rose, 65, called Johnson “sharp” and well-informed. When she called out “vote,” Johnson responded with a story about casting a ballot in a local Brooklyn election, the only voter present. The absurdity landed immediately. The implication lingered.

As Johnson closed his set, the audience rose in a standing ovation.

Homecoming brought the George Mason community together across formats: competition, service, celebration, and conversation. Throughout the week, student organizations hosted events, alumni returned to campus, and crowds filled athletic venues and festival spaces. Johnson’s performance added another dimension to that momentum. Bringing a nationally recognized voice like Johnson to campus – alongside alumni talent like Mostafavi – reflects the university’s willingness to connect past and present while highlighting cultural relevance alongside academic and athletic achievement.

 

By Sarah Holland, Office of University Branding.

Experiential learning is one of the ways George Mason prepares its students for life beyond the classroom. It’s a core part of our mission. For Costello College of Business sophomore Iman Chaudhry, it’s also an inspiration that helped shape Mason Consulting Group’s (MCG) new venture: pro bono consulting support for local small businesses in Fairfax City.

MCG began as a means to educate the George Mason community about consulting as a career path. When Chaudhry, the current president of MCG, began an internship with Fairfax City Economic Development (FCED), she came with a vision for the group to expand their impact and reach through free consulting services for local businesses in Fairfax City.

“It was mutually beneficial: we help strengthen our local community and support small businesses, as well as providing experiential learning opportunities aligned with Costello’s strategic priorities,” she said. “We still want to educate the community about business consulting, while providing real, tangible, experiential learning opportunities to students where they’re working with a real-life client.”

As an intern, Chaudhry served as a bridge between FCED and Costello: “A person on the inside,” she said, who helped make the initiative successful.

With support and guidance from FCED, Chaudhry and the group developed the program structure, reviewed applications, selected the inaugural clients, and negotiated a contract deal with FCED to provide funding to support implementation of their recommendations.

MCG completed their first round of consulting in Fall 2025, serving two Fairfax City clients: BE2 Pilates and Make My Day CPA. Throughout the semester, the team held regular meetings with clients to provide updates and pitch ideas; at the end, they presented their final recommendations and deliverables to both businesses and FCED.

“Knowing how to market my business has been my Achilles’ heel,” said Julia Hughes, founder and owner of BE2 Pilates. “I thought I’d toss my hat into the ring when I saw the call for applications for the program.”

The team provided Hughes with a comprehensive social media marketing plan and a range of business development recommendations, such as adding QR codes to business cards and developing a pricing structure for students.

“Everything they gave me in terms of deliverables are things that could be started on the small scale and grown over time,” Hughes said. “And their recommendations helped me think outside of the box for business development, thinking more broadly about with whom I can partner, with whom I can connect.”

MCG’s services are free to those businesses that are accepted through the FCED program. Hughes noted that the quality of the business consulting provided was above and beyond her expectations.

“The level of professionalism, the product presented, and the deliverables MCG provided were all of a caliber that far surpassed their years of experience,” said Hughes. “I was quite  impressed by them at every step of the way.”

“The Mason Consulting Group has done an outstanding job diving deep into the consulting world. The students are getting hands-on experience with real clients to understand the dynamics of consulting and the complexities of the business world,” said MCG’s faculty advisor Katherine Rosenbusch, associate professor of management in Costello.

After the success of this first cohort, FCED has agreed to extend funding for another semester. MCG is selecting their next round of clients for the Spring 2026 semester.

“We’re a young club, but I think Costello and George Mason’s vision of high access and high outcomes makes us stand out,” Chaudhry said. “I want to help put George Mason on the map as a hub for high-caliber student talent delivering real-world impact.”

 

By Chelsea Xu, UL Marketing and Communications.

On January 20, George Mason University expanded one of its most essential student support services. The Patriot Pantry officially opened a new location at Mason Square, extending food security resources to a campus that primarily serves graduate and professional students.

Operated by the Basic Needs Services team at the Student Support and Advocacy Center (SSAC), the Pantry provides nonperishable food and hygiene products to students experiencing food insecurity. The service is designed to reduce stigma and remove barriers that can interfere with academic success.

From classroom project to campus resource

The idea to expand the Patriot Pantry to Mason Square began with students who noticed a gap. Julia Frost (Environmental Science’25), Crystal Park (Environment and Sustainability Studies’25), Isabella Barrera (Environment and Sustainability Studies’25), and Noah Brown (Business’25) met in EVPP 480: Sustainability in Action. Through their research project mentored by Jennifer Sklarew, assistant professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy, they identified food access as a particular challenge for Mason Square’s predominantly graduate and professional student population.

“Food insecurity is a challenge no one should have to face, yet many do,” Barrera said. “Our goal is to help ensure that all students have access to a basic human right: food.”

Through partnership with SSAC, the students’ observations became part of an existing network of basic needs support. With funding from a Mason Impact Mini Grant awarded by the Office of Undergraduate Education, the students funded the storage cabinet now used for Pantry order pickup. SSAC assumed responsibility for operations, integrating the Mason Square location into its broader Basic Needs Services model and ensuring the Pantry would function as a permanent, low-barrier resource.

Addressing basic needs as a foundation for success

The Patriot Pantry at Mason Square builds on a service with a long history at George Mason. What began nearly 12 years ago on the Fairfax Campus as a volunteer-led effort became a permanent student service in 2016, housed within SSAC. Since then, Pantry usage has increased by 990 percent.

The expansion was also supported by funds from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) through the Hunger-Free Campus Food Pantry Grant Program. These funds will be used to stock the Patriot Pantry at Mason Square with nonperishable food items and essential hygiene product, with additional support provided by a $10,000 College Pantry Grant from the Capital Area Food Bank, awarded to SSAC at a time when demand for basic needs support continues to grow.

Dwayne Hamilton Jr., assistant director for basic needs services, emphasized the Pantry’s role in supporting students from diverse economic backgrounds, particularly graduate students who are often overlooked in higher education support services.

“Addressing basic needs concerns through the Patriot Pantry at Mason Square moves students toward the ideal experience at George Mason: freedom and learning,” he said.

 

Students can now place orders through the Patriot Pantry at Mason Square order page and pick up items in the cabinet in the Student Lounge in Van Metre Hall, Room 211—a discreet, accessible location designed to prioritize privacy and dignity.

Community members may also support the Pantry by donating nonperishable food and hygiene products through the Amazon Wishlist, contributing to the Student Food and Housing Insecurity Fund, or dropping off donations in the Student Lounge in Van Metre Hall, Room 211. A full list of accepted items is available on the Patriot Pantry homepage.

By Nick Lennon, Center for Leadership and Intercultural Engagement. Edited by Chelsea Xu, UL Marketing and Communications. 

George Mason University’s Center for Leadership and Intercultural Engagement (CLIE) welcomed a wide-ranging group of students into its Active Leaders program this fall, marking the program’s highest level of participation to date. 

Facilitated by CLIE Co-Director Nick Lennon and graduate assistant Abhigya Pandey, the 10-session leadership development series brought together undergraduate and graduate students for a semester-long exploration of leadership in practice. Enrollment is open on a first-come, first-served basis, with cohort size intentionally limited to support discussion and participation. In recent years, graduate students have made up between 27 and 46 percent of those who complete the program. 

A Sustained Commitment to Leadership 

The program requires a significant commitment: students were expected to attend at least eight of 10 two-hour sessions over the semester. This fall, Active Leaders generated approximately 900 student contact hours. Reflecting the program’s reach, 56 students completed the program, up from 35 the previous year.  

Post-program assessments show that students emerged with stronger relationships and greater confidence in their leadership skills. Nearly all participants said they felt more connected to others, and every student who responded said they would recommend the program to a peer. 

Students reported the greatest growth in understanding their own strengths, developing emotional intelligence, and learning how to work with people across differences. In most of the areas measured, more than 90 percent of participants said they experienced meaningful growth. 

Breaking the Myth of Born Leaders 

One of the program’s most intentional goals is to challenge the myth that “leaders are born, not made.” By the end of the semester, agreement with that statement fell from 28 percent to just 7 percent, indicating a shift in how students understood their own potential as leaders.  

Active Leaders is designed for students with and without formal leadership titles. Rather than focusing on lectures, the program emphasizes conversation, reflection, and hands-on activities. Sessions introduce students to leadership theory while encouraging them to apply those ideas to real situations, from navigating group dynamics to engaging in difficult conversations. 

“Active Leaders has been intentionally designed as a space where every participant can feel seen, heard, and valued,” said Lennon. “Participants consistently tell us they feel welcomed and empowered, and that sense of belonging allows real learning to happen. The program centers students’ voices and creates the trust needed for honest, open, and meaningful conversations.” 

Student reflections echoed that experience. Participants described using program strategies to resolve conflicts, better understand different perspectives, and collaborate more effectively. “Everyone was heard and respected,” one student wrote. Another shared, “I felt welcomed, and that’s why I made it to the end.” 

As part of CLIE and University Life, Active Leaders reflects George Mason’s broader commitment to leadership development rooted in inclusion, ethics, and civic engagement. “I loved this program,” one participant wrote, noting its impact beyond the classroom. “I wish there were more programs like this one.” 

The program is offered each fall semester. For more information about Active Leaders and other CLIE programs, visit the Center for Leadership and Intercultural Engagement’s website.  

 

By Mathilda Tataw, Student Media. Edited by Jane Rooney, UL Marketing and Communications. 

College of Humanities and Social Sciences student Allyson Bautista spent her undergraduate years at George Mason breaking barriers by becoming the first pilot in her family and finding her voice through self-discovery and mentorship. Through resilience, support networks, passion, and self-advocacy, the winter 2025 graduate found success blending two different fields: public relations and aviation.  

Before she ever sat in the cockpit of a plane, Bautista had to learn the courage to speak up. That small shift—from staying silent to starting conversations—became the foundation of both her public relations journey and her dream of becoming a pilot. 

Dreaming at 30,000 feet  

Before considering college and public relations, Bautista’s mind was on being a pilot. “I was thinking of flying long before anything else,” she said. “I went to Japan for my first solo trip seated in the back of a Boeing 777. And I told myself, I don’t want to be sitting in the back of the plane. I want to be in the front of the plane.”  

That moment led to Bautista joining the College of Engineering for a minor in aviation management in 2024. “Now I have the first license, and it still feels unreal. I know that this is aprivilege, given that there aren’t many women in aviation in the United States.” 

The milestone carried deeper meaning. “I’m Filipino, and Filipino females tend to be nurses,” she said. “But I broke the culture in my family.  I wanted to be a role model for people who are coming from a place where college is a privilege rather than a choice.” 

Bautista recalled the first moment when she knew she was exactly where she was meant to be: practicing flight patterns with her coach, feeling a bit nervous and tense during the practice when her coach and co-pilot provided guidance, and listening to music. 

“It was a miracle. I landed a plane and realized I could do it and I could continue this entire journey with my instructor supporting me.”  

 Finding lift in community   

As a first-generation student, Bautista struggled to find her footing. “My younger self would never have imagined being where I am. I thought that I’d never attend college because of how much it costs,” she said. “What led me here was persistence. I kept telling myself to be persistent in the things that I really want to do.  You have to keep pushing yourself into making a better world for yourself because nobody else can do it for you.”  

Through a partnership between George Mason University and the DC College Access Program, Bautista was able to attend college and pursue myriad opportunities, includingconferences, internships, and mentorships. These experiences gave her the chance to explore different majors and passions before choosing her path. 

She credits her academic advisor, Megan Tucker, with sharing valuable guidance and suggesting that public relations was a good match for her strengths. “She and some of my professors helped me improve and gave me the encouragement I needed to flourish in all of my courses at George Mason. Dr. Tucker’s recommendation to try public relations allowed me to use my creativity and discover what I wanted to do,” she said.  

Support from her professors helped her build her interpersonal and networking skills. “I knew I was on the right path when I worked with my first client in a PR class, someone who genuinely needed strategic communication support and trusted me with their project.”  

 

A push to take flight 

With guidance from her mentors, as well as the university’s Success Coaching team, Bautista developed confidence in her degree and her work. “I struggled for a long time to believe in myself, but George Mason helped me see my strengths and reminded me of the potential I often overlooked. What once felt impossible slowly became real because I had the space to grow and the platform to celebrate everything I have worked for.” 

To fellow George Mason students who struggle with determining their path, she recommends stepping outside their comfort zone. “Take things one step at a time and make sure that you’re looking after yourself and leaning on friends and family for support.  Success comes from being encouraged in the right direction, believing in yourself, and finding the courage to pursue a path that brings you joy and purpose.”  

 

 

By Mathilda Tataw, Student Media. Edited by Chelsea Xu, UL Marketing and Communications. 

College of Engineering and Computing student Ayham Elayan, a fall 2025 graduate in bioengineering, spent his undergraduate years doing what many students hope to achieve but few manage at his scale: building community on campus, across the region, and around the world.  

When Elayan first came to George Mason University, he felt an ache familiar to many students: the quiet question of belonging. As an Arab American engineering student, he searched George Mason’s landscape of student organizations for a place where he felt seen.  

One afternoon, sitting in a professional development class, he and a friend listened as their instructor listed clubs and affinity groups such as the Society ofHispanic Professional Engineers and the National Society of Black Engineers. That’s when a spark caught. 

“ We kind of looked at each other—we’re both Middle Eastern and Arab,” he said, “And we were wondering, why don’t we make an organization for students withour background?”   

Engineering a community of his own 

That conversation became the blueprint for the Arab American Association of Engineers and Architects (AAAEA) at George Mason. Elayan and his friend connected with Arab American students and faculty, pitched the idea to the national organization, and received immediate enthusiasm. 

By the next semester, AAAEA became an officially registered student organization. What began as Elayan’s search for belonging quickly turned into a home for others—a professional, cultural, and academic community. The impact spread almost instantly. Within months, Virginia Tech, the University of Maryland, and George Washington University launched their own chapters.   

Today, AAAEA operates as a regional network across the Washington, D.C., area. Its growth echoes Elayan’s belief that community often flourishes beyond the borders of a single campus. “ I think everything that exists that is successful has to start with someone taking a leap,” he said. “I was grateful to have branched out.”  

Engineering for humanity 

Elayan’s impact didn’t end with regional community-building. As he was helping create spaces for Arab American engineers in the U.S., he was also lookingoutward to global humanitarian work. 

Through George Mason’s Study Abroad program, guided by bioengineering faculty, Elayan traveled to Ecuador, where he helped build prosthetic legs for amputees in need.   

“ That was the first time we had taken students to Ecuador,” said Elayan. “It was a great experience and important to me. I come from an area where people are less fortunate. It’s a big humanitarian crisis. So, when I worked with prosthetics, I just kept tying it back to my country and how I hope to be able to bring it back to them.”  

One patient he worked with—a man who lost a leg due to diabetes—told him the prosthetic “re-enabled” him. Others shared similar experiences. The team watched, over only a week, as several patients took independent steps for the first time in years. 

The experience reframed his understanding of engineering. “I always knew that engineering could make a difference for people’s lives, but it was nice to see it in action and firsthand, especially in bioengineering. It can be challenging, but it’s very rewarding.”  

Elayan hadn’t always planned to study abroad. The idea felt distant until George Mason’s short-term, faculty-led programs reframed what global learning could look like. 

“I wasn’t sure if I was going to study abroad during my time at Mason,” said Elayan, recalling his hesitation. “To others who are hesitant, I suggest taking advantage of the short-term opportunities. I was grateful for those because I didn’t have to spend an entire semester abroad, which can be daunting or scary for people.”  

As graduation approaches, Elayan encourages students to explore the opportunities that feel personally meaningful, “so they can be motivated to succeed and make animpact. We can tackle so much and make an impact across the world,” he said. His story shows that success at George Mason isn’t prescribed; it’s built, discovered, and redefined—one student at a time. 

 

By Tiffany Boggs, Student Media. Edited by Jane Rooney, UL Marketing and Communications. 

Leaving Afghanistan for the United States in 2019, Sahar Qureshi embraced the challenge of earning an education while working full-time, supporting her family, and learning a new culture—a journey that embodies the American Dream. 

Qureshi’s path is grounded in her faith, perseverance, and gratitude. She came to George Mason University in 2023 seeking flexibility and understanding. As a student, she found academic success and a community that helped her grow into the person she has always wanted to become.  

This month, Qureshi will walk across the stage to receive her bachelor’s in operations and supply chain management from the Donald G. Costello College of Business. She will be the first in her family to graduate from college.  Her story reflects how success can be rooted in determination, resilience, and a passion for helping others. 

Born and raised in Afghanistan, she learned from her parents the importance of maintaining strength regardless of the pressure you face. She recalled seeing her father come home every night with a big smile, making everything feel lighter for his children after long hours at work. Her mother would come home after a full day at work,prepare food, and tend to the family’s needs without complaining.    

As an adult starting to handle her own responsibilities, Qureshi recognized the burden her parents carried throughout her childhood. But what stays with her are the sacrifices her parents made when they left everything behind to give their children a better future education.  

“As a child, I never saw the pressure behind their strength. As an adult, I finally understand how much they were balancing and how strong they truly had to be,” she said.  

Open to opportunities 

Qureshi emulated her parents’ perseverance by balancing being a full-time undergraduate student and working full-time. A typical day for Qureshi began with getting ready for work while mentally planning her assignments. During breakfast, she reviewed class notes, responded to group emails, and noted upcoming deadlines. After work, she drove to campus for her evening classes. Those drives became the time she shifted her mindset from “professional responsibilities to academic expectations.” 

She found time to join the business honor society, attend career services events, and excel in her internships. Along the way, she faced challenges like learning English and opening up in the academic environment. Qureshi developed as a leader through her business courses, group projects, and assignments. Besides drawing strength from her parents’ experience, she also relied on her deep faith, supportive professors, and a strong sense of responsibility to seize opportunities on campus.   

The university’s mission to prepare students for the realities of adulthood drew Qureshi to George Mason. “Mason didn’t just give me an education—it gave me the structure, resources, and encouragement I needed to keep moving toward my goals,” she said.  

After graduation, she plans to continue building her career in business and hopes to earn a master’s degree in diplomacy. Her long-term goal is to create global connections and advocate for girls’ education internationally. Qureshi explained that this passion comes from meeting young girls who are “talented, driven, and full of ambition” but don’t have access to the opportunities they deserve. She wants to work in spaces to contribute to policy, international partnerships, and organizational efforts that prioritize educational rights through leadership, advocacy, or community involvement.  

Qureshi defines success as becoming the person her younger self had always imagined. “I am proud that I never gave up. My journey shows other young women that with faith, hard work, and determination, you can rise above any challenge.”  

 

This article was written by Anna Ondieki. Originally appeared on the Student Success Blog by College of Education and Human Development.

Eun Kyung (EK) Choi is a full-time graduate student in the Inclusive Early Childhood Education Program at George Mason University, and a student parent. EK is also the winner of the Dr. Alan and Sally Merten Family of the Year Award! Keep reading to learn more about EK’s family, and their experience at George Mason.

When asked why she nominated her family for this award, EK shares, “I’m very thankful to my husband.”

Moving from South Korea, EK’s husband worked for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea with a posting to the Embassy in Washington, DC. After getting married and making this big move, EK chose to pursue a teaching license with the goal of working at international schools around the world.

However, EK’s pursuit of a new degree became uncertain after she gave birth; “I wasn’t sure how I could finish my master’s degree.” That’s when her husband stepped in, deciding to “take a year of parental leave to care for our baby. And it allowed me to focus on my studies. Without his support, it would not have been easy to take my current classes or prepare for my internship next semester.” Thanks to this support, EK has successfully completed her Praxis tests for her internships!

EK lives with her husband and baby in Masonvale, and enjoys walking around Fairfax campus with her baby in a stroller.

Her family also enjoys exploring Virginia’s many beautiful parks, noting, “We often walk to Old Town, especially the Fairfax Regional Library, and stop by De Clieu Coffee & Sandwiches for a treat… when we don’t feel like cooking, we eat at Southside or Ike’s.” EK also peruses Mason360 for fun events to attend as a family.

Being part of the George Mason community as both a student and a mom has been a meaningful journey. I hope my story encourages other students who are balancing school and family life.

Eun Kyung Choi

EK’s advice to fellow students balancing family and school:

• Take Care of Your Health: Parenting is a whole new world. No matter how much support you have, it takes energy. I used to stay up finishing work all night and start work early in the morning, and that was my joy. But I can’t do that anymore, haha. I’ve learned to take care of my body and rest when I can. This season of life is different, but it’s precious and full of gratitude.
• Share the Responsibilities: Parenting is not a solo journey. My husband and family’s support has made it possible for me to continue my studies. I also try to respect my husband’s personal time, like going to the gym or seeing friends. It helps us both.
• Use the System: In my case, my husband was able to take one year of paid parental leave, which made this balance possible. In Korea, parents can usually take one year of paid leave plus up to two additional years of unpaid leave. Because this system was so familiar to me, I didn’t fully realize how meaningful it was. However, after talking with Colleen Vesely, my Engaging Families of Diverse Learners professor, I truly came to appreciate not only the existence of this system but also the supportive environment that allows us to use it.
• Find a Supportive Community: I truly appreciate the welcoming community at George Mason. My professors and classmates have supported me during pregnancy, childbirth, and this parenting season. Special thanks to professor Bweikia Steen for creating a warm and inclusive class, to professor Carly Fisher-Maltese for her kindness during my delivery time, and to my friend Jialin for her care before and after birth. Last but not least, to my academic advisor, Kayla Turner, and internship coordinator, Amanda Davis, for constantly checking on me and handling my situations. Families of the Korean Embassy and friends from the diplomatic community have also been so kind. They brought food, took me on little trips to Baltimore, and even bought my favorite bingsoo from Soricha Tea & Theater. I’ve truly felt cared for.

 

On September 23, more than 300 students, faculty, and staff gathered at Wilkins Plaza on the George Mason University’s Fairfax Campus for the Love Life x Mason Minds Matter Suicide Awareness and Prevention Event. The event was a collaborative effort led by Counseling and Psychological  Services (CAPS), Patriots Thriving Together (PTT), Housing and Residence Life (HRL), and the George Mason Police Department (Mason PD). It also featured partners from Student Health Services (SHS), the Student Support and Advocacy Center (SSAC), TimelyCare, and the Center for the Advancement of Well-Being (CWB).

According to the National Institutes of Health, suicide is the second leading cause of death among college aged individuals worldwide and in the United States. The event aimed to promote mental health and well-being resources while raising awareness of suicide prevention support available to the George Mason community. It continued the momentum of the first Love Life event in September 2024, when CAPS partnered with campus organizations to celebrate life and connect students with care.

Assistant Director of Counseling and Psychological Services Calena Creft noted that this year’s collaboration between Mason Minds Matter and Love Life broadened the event’s reach and deepened its impact.

At this year’s event, Wilkins Plaza came alive with music, conversation, and creative activities. Attendees painted pumpkins at the Mason PD table, wrote and exchanged encouraging notes through the “Leave a Message, Take a Message” wall, and picked up free Insomnia Cookies and CAPS T-shirts after completing a resource “Bingo” card by visiting three participating tables.

 

By Tiffany Boggs and Mathilda Tataw, Student Media. Edited by Chelsea Xu, UL Marketing and Communications. 

From September 29 – October 1, more than 5,000 George Mason University students filled Dewberry Hall in sharp professional attire and with polished résumés in hand—ready to take the next step toward their careers. 

George Mason’s Career Fair, held each fall and spring semester, is the university’s largest on-campus recruiting event, connecting students with representatives from more than 100 companies and organizations. The event offers opportunities to explore internships, part-time roles, and full-time positions across a range of industries. 

“These are opportunities to get right in front of the employers,” said Philip Wilkerson, employer engagement consultant at University Career Services (UCS). “I like to tell students this is not a place where you can automatically get a job or a magic ticket. It’s a great way to build relationships, get business cards, and stay in touch.”  

Wilkerson added that while the fair is about connections, success begins long before students step into Dewberry Hall. UCS offers one-on-one advising to help students refine résumés, craft cover letters, and practice introductions—transforming nerves into confidence. “Confidence comes with preparation,” he said. “The more prepared you are, the more confident you are.”

Mary Claire Kraft, employer outreach manager for UCS, expanded on that idea by highlighting the value of research and intentionality. “Number one, check Handshake, so that when students meet an employer they’re interested in, they can share one thing they know about them,” she said. “All of these employers are here to meet you—the student. There is no better expert on you than yourself.”

Iman Chaudhry, a sophomore Honors College student majoring in management information systems, approached the fair with an open mindset. “I think it’s important not to limit yourself, even if you have a specific major,” she said. “There are still benefits to attending all days of the Career Fair.”

Lilliana Russell, a freshman majoring in civil and infrastructure engineering, attended her first fair eager to learn. She arrived early with a list of employers to meet and a curiosity about what her field has to offer. “I’m really just trying to scope out what the different companies in my field are and maybe score an internship,” she said.

Russell added that her nerves faded once she began speaking with recruiters. “Once I got to know everyone and saw how excited they were to talk with students, I let go of the preconceived notions about the event,” she said.

Brook Haiamr, a junior, offered simple advice for future fair attendees. “Go in with confidence, get your name out there, and show genuine enthusiasm,” she said.

Kraft closed with a final reminder: “Practice if it makes you feel comfortable,” she said. “But resist the urge to go robotic. Be authentic—they came to meet you.”

What’s next: Students can keep the momentum going at the Internship Fair on Thursday, October 23—another chance to research organizations, meet recruiters, and convert preparation into opportunity.